Carolyn McKerracher

I offer sessions Tues-Thurs from 8am until lunchtime/ early evening and Friday mornings from 7am. 

Initial consultation £20. Sessions are £50 thereafter. 

Unfortunately, EH1 Therapies, West End is not wheelchair accessible. There is one flight of stone steps down to the basement premises and one step up to the toilet. If this space is not accessible to you, please get in touch to discuss possible alternatives. 

Seeking counselling is a courageous step. As a psychodynamic counsellor, I offer a safe, compassionate, inclusive and confidential space and bring forty years of prior experience as a scientist and community worker, as well as my own life experience.

My approach is psychodynamic, which looks at how our early relational experiences impact on us both consciously and unconsciously, in both helpful and unhelpful ways. These early patterns of relating are often repeated throughout life, in later relationships, family situations, the careers and jobs we choose and the ways in which we deal with grief, illness and trauma. 

Research has shown that being heard in a supportive way, in a confidential, empathic and trusting therapeutic relationship, can lead to insight and change.

As a scientist, I worked in cancer services in the NHS for eighteen years, then I changed careers and became a community worker, working in prison, various Third Sector agencies and in homeless and supported accommodation. I have worked with people experiencing exclusion, discrimination, poverty, grief, loss and the impact of past trauma, including complex trauma. I have also tutored/ lectured in Medical Physics and Community Education, in Further and Higher Education and have also worked in government.

All of these experiencies, including my own, led me to counselling training. 

As a counsellor, I have worked in two Third Sector services, one for people experiencing long-term illness, their families and carers and one for people with mental health struggles, such as depression, anxiety, stress, loss, grief and past trauma. I am now in private practice and will work with whatever you bring, if we both feel that I can help. 

My professional qualification is a Post Graduate Diploma (PGDip) in Human Relations and Counselling, awarded by Robert Gordon University and accredited by COSCA. My PhD is in Medical Physics and I hold a PGDip in Community Education.

I offer both short and long term therapy, with adults and young people (aged 16+years) and I extend the offer of a safe, compassionate, inclusive and confidential space, to people of all cultures, races, religions, genders, sexualities, disabilities and neurodiversities. I am open to challenge, where I fall short. I will work with whatever you bring, if it is within my competence.

Psychodynamic counselling is a relational process, which relies on the connection between us. Consequently, I offer an initial consultation at a reduced fee of £20, in person, for 50mins. This is to allow us time to work out whether you feel comfortable and whether I can help. 

I am a member of Â鶹ԭ´´ and am currently working towards Accreditation. I am insured through PPS. I am a PVG Scheme Member for regulated work with children and protected adults, in both support work and private counselling. 

I offer a reduced fee (£20), no-obligation, initial consultation, in person, to allow us time to determine whether I can help, whether you feel safe and comfortable and whether we would work well together. You would be free to disclose only as much as you want.

The practice at EH1 Therapies is in a basement flat in the West End of Edinburgh, accessed by a flight of stone steps. If this is inaccessible to you, please get in touch to discuss the possibility of an alternative, as I will endeavour to find somewhere suitable.